Two hacked to death over temple dispute; one injured

Madurai: Two men were hacked to death and another injured after a gang rammed their car into the victims' two-wheeler and attacked them with sickles near Othakadai on Tuesday evening. Preliminary police investigations suggest the brutal assault stemmed from a dispute over a temple-related issue.The deceased were identified as Kadugu, alias Muniyasamy, 28, of Thethampatti, and an unidentified youth. Stalin, 28, was injured.Police sources said the incident happened on Tuesday evening when the trio were riding on a two-wheeler near the Periyar canal in the Pattanam area of Othakadai.The four unidentified miscreants reportedly came in a car and rammed head-on into the two-wheeler; subsequently, they launched a brutal attack on the men with a sickle. Muniyasamy and the unidentified youth died on the spot after sustaining serious injuries.Stalin fell on the ground and sustained injuries when he tried to escape from the gang. He is receiving treatment at Govt Rajaji Hospital.Police rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies and sent them to Govt Rajaji Hospital for an autopsy. Forensic experts collected the evidence from the crime scene, and sniffer dogs were pressed into service.A case was registered by Othakadai police. Further investigation is underway.